Lift embargo on resident doctors, group urges Jonathan

THE National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to lift the embargo placed on the employment of resident doctors in teaching hospitals, specialist centres and Federal Medical Centres across the country.

NARD said in a statement on Thursday that such an embargo could lead to the reversal of the gains made in the health sector if nothing was done immediately to reverse the situation.

The statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Dan-Jumbo Prince and its Secretary, Dr. Gbujie Daniel, expressed worry that the embargo on the employment of resident doctors could worsen the health indices in Nigeria.

According to the association, “The non-employment of resident doctors in teaching hospitals, specialist centres and Federal Medical Centres in the country, which if not immediately reversed, would lead to reversal of the gains in the health sector.

“It (embargo) could also worsen the health indices in the country. We, therefore, appeal to Mr. President to lift the embargo on employment of resident doctors nationwide to improve on the gains made so far.”

NARD appealed to the Federal Government and Lagos State Government to prevent the extinction of residency training in Nigeria and urged President Jonathan to intervene in the issues affecting the survival of health sector in order to avoid crisis.

The association also decried the non-inclusion of resident doctors in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System and added that the situation had raised integrity issues and questioned the motives of government officials handling the IPPIS payment system.

It pointed out that the inclusion of resident doctors in the IPPIS payment system had become necessary since the system was aimed at checking the phenomenon of ghost workers and saving government funds in public service.

NARD also criticised the non-payment of their members’ two months salaries, adding that the situation was worse in Kogi, Osun, Edo and Benue States.

“The attempts by some persons within the Federal Ministry of Health to threaten the current peaceful atmosphere enjoyed in the health sector by sabotaging and manipulating efforts aimed at ensuring the full implementation of the 2014 FG-NMA agreement duly signed by government is also worrisome,” NARD added.

It, however, expressed delight over the recent directive by President Jonathan that the public sector, especially as regards the IPPIS be audited.

“We join Nigerians in being hopeful of a renaissance in our country with a consequent improvement in all indices of national life especially those pertaining to the state health.

“We remain grateful to Mr. President for passing the National Health Bill, which acted as a catalyst for the revival of the health sector,” the association said.